Get ready before fireplace season begins.

Start before the first fire

A pre-season review is easier to plan than a mid-winter surprise. Keep any prior chimney report, appliance manual, or service paperwork together, then note what changed since last season.

A yearly inspection is a recognized safety baseline for chimneys, fireplaces, and vents. The actual cleaning or repair plan still depends on the system and what is found.

• Confirm the fireplace or appliance type.
• Note the last known inspection or service date.
• Look from the ground for a changed cap, crown, masonry surface, or flashing area.
• Keep manufacturer information available for gas appliances or inserts.

Inspection and cleaning answer different questions

An inspection asks what condition can be observed and whether there are safety, deposit, clearance, access, or system questions to resolve. Cleaning removes deposits when cleaning is actually appropriate. One is not automatically a substitute for the other.

When you call PeakStone, share the system type, last known service, and the concern you noticed. Availability, what is included in the visit, and the appropriate service path are confirmed before scheduling.

Use Colorado weather as context

Snow, wind, temperature swings, and moisture are useful clues when describing a concern. They do not prove a cause by themselves, but timing helps an in-person assessment focus on the right areas.

The National Weather Service maintains current Front Range winter outlooks, warnings, and high-wind information. Foothill properties can need especially careful attention after a major wind event.

• Write down when the condition first appeared.
• Mention whether it followed snow, rain, high wind, or a freeze-thaw swing.
• Do not climb onto a roof or chimney to investigate. A ground-level photo is enough to begin a conversation.

Know what deserves a call

A change in draft, smoke or odor inside, water staining, loose visible masonry, or a changed chimney-top component is worth describing before the season gets busy.

For a carbon-monoxide alarm, visible fire, or other immediate danger, leave the area and call 911. This guide is for preparation, not emergency response or remote diagnosis.